Romania’s exports of guns and military equipment increased by about 15% year-on-year in 2016, reaching the highest level in 10 years - over EUR 180 million, reports local Gandul, which cites data from the Department of Export Control (ANCEX) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The U.S. remained the main client, accounting for almost 40% of the total Romanian military exports. Romania exported military products worth EUR 67.3 million to the U.S., including scopes and accessories for hunting guns, 7,990 semiautomatic rifles, 225 semiautomatic sniper rifles, 4,380 guns, 1,066 lightweight machine guns, 10,000 assault rifles, and 24 anti-aircraft machine guns.

Bulgaria became Romania’s second most important client last year, as it imported EUR 19.7 million worth of guns and military equipment from Romania. Among the purchased items, there were 40 mm and 73 mm anti-tank grenade launchers, 14.5 mm anti-aircraft machine guns, scopes, and other components.

Romania also exported EUR 19.4 million worth of military equipment to Saudi Arabia, EUR 15.26 million worth of guns and military equipment to the United Arab Emirates, and EUR 14.9 million worth of such equipment to Israel.

Other countries that imported military equipment from Romania were Morocco – EUR 8.32 million, Iraq – EUR 5.67 million, Italy – EUR 4.35 million, Germany – EUR 3.43 million, and Pakistan – EUR 3.42 million.

In Europe, the top ten countries that purchased Romanian military equipment last year are Bulgaria – EUR 19.74 million, Italy – EUR 4.35 million, Germany – EUR 3.43 million, UK – EUR 3.17 million, France – EUR 2.35 million, Belgium – EUR 735,000, Slovakia – EUR 563,000, Spain – EUR 289,000, Finland – EUR 145,000, and Greece – EUR 130,000.

Romanian Gendarmerie wants to buy 28,000 guns worth EUR 13 mln

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com